Tech-vexed: how digital life threatens our capacity for awe

What is tragic is that digital life should be very much part of the awe of the living experience.<p>We are extremely lucky to live in this new period where communication and information processing have undergone exponential evolution.<p>The issue is that this enormous potential of augmenting our existence is held hostage by the same forces that have suppressed the opportunity for generations upon generations of earlier &quot;non-tech-vexed&quot; humans.

I&#x27;ve come to the conclusion that this sort of screed is written by the particular type of person that cannot make meaningful connections online.<p>Rather than agreeing with them that in-person relationships are somehow more meaningful, we should explain to them that their inability to form meaningful connections online is a disability, and they are missing out on an aspect of life that the rest of us enjoy.

This is incorrect—outdoor activities are actually increasing. <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;afterinc.com&#x2F;wp-content&#x2F;uploads&#x2F;2023&#x2F;05&#x2F;outdoor-engagement.jpg" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;afterinc.com&#x2F;wp-content&#x2F;uploads&#x2F;2023&#x2F;05&#x2F;outdoor-enga...</a><p>Without tools like tracking apps, Strava, and Google Maps&#x2F;Earth (plus the rabbit holes they lead to), I would explore less of my surroundings. Digital technology enhances outdoor experiences.

The truth is probably that one’s capacity for awe is like one’s capacity for joy: it is within oneself and exogenous factors produce only momentary impulses that alter things only temporarily, after which they decay.

Sigh. People are overrated. :-&#x2F;

I thought the essay had some good points. Its too bad people are wrapped up in there own way of thinking about the world that they cant see the value and questioning the things we value.

No matter how technologically advanced we get, I find that the only thing that still has near infinite capacity for awe is people’s stupidity.

Luckily, the effect is limited to those who can&#x27;t tell the difference between reality and make believe...

I&#x27;m sure people said the same about literature back when mass market novels became a thing. Or TV for that matter. Just a little further down the rabbit hole.

Ah yes we must return to our natural environment of a beach in 1968 to regain our humanity, what a crock